MULTIDIVERSE-CSCL

Deutsch

Explaining and managing effects of multiattributional diversity in Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning

MULTIDIVERSE-CSCL is a CATALPA project.

Collaboration in virtual study groups is beneficial for students’ sense of belonging and performance in distance education. However, student diversity can impair the collaboration within the study groups. The project investigates the influence of stereotypes on the collaboration and develops technological support for virtual study groups.

Project Goals and Research Questions

Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) is a virtual collaboration of study groups in distance education. CSCL can increase students‘ sense of belonging and performance, but it also poses challenges for heterogeneous study groups. When the group members have heterogeneous sociodemographic backgrounds and prior knowledge, their communication within the group is impaired and consequently show lower group performance.

The project „Explaining and managing effects of multiattributional diversity in Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning” (MULTIDIVERSE-CSCL) investigates the social-psychological mechanisms that impair optimal collaboration due to stereotyping in virtual study groups. Moreover, we investigate how the influence of stereotypes can be reduced by strengthening a virtual sense of community in the study groups. Furthermore, we develop a student dashboard to support students to intensify their collaboration and increase their group performance.